Three months ago, health and wellness may have been the furthest thing from your mind. It may have seemed like a nice bonus to add to the list of things an employer can offer as a benefit. It may have seemed like something best left up to the individual.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that the health of our entire society is of utmost importance if we wish to move forward. The actions of individuals, whether the selfless diligence of our medical community or the countless people who have sheltered in place to help slow the spread, show us that the health of our bodies is not an afterthought. Caring for the bodies that carry us through life is imperative, so that we can each live out our purpose and do the work we’re here to do.
How can an employer be part of the solution? People spend a lot of time at work. They spend a lot of time with their co-workers. The culture of the place you spend so much time does make a difference in your attitude. This virus is highlighting the cost of neglecting health. Individuals with underlying health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease are at a much greater risk of severe illness or death. This is not only true of COVID-19. It is also true of influenza and SARS.
The old way of thinking about health was to deal with problems. This way of thinking deals with the symptoms but doesn’t dig down to address the causes of health and illness. Lifestyle choices and habits have an enormous impact on how our genes express health or illness, and it's time to shift our focus to what we can do to prevent illness and support our immune systems.
Businesses have a unique opportunity to address health issues and to promote healthy habits. There is ample evidence that healthy employees help a company’s bottom line, both by being more productive at work and by reducing health care costs. But the number one reason to encourage health in your company is because as people, we all deserve the opportunities to work for better health. A person’s job can be a force for good in their life, an opportunity to provide for their needs, to engage in purposeful work, and to live a full and healthy life.
There are right and wrong ways to emphasize a culture of health in your business. If your employees can tell that your concern about their health is all about your bottom line, they won’t engage with your program. That can feel invasive and provoke resentment.
Instead, if your program focuses on giving employees the tools they need to implement sustainable lifetime habits to support their health, then you are giving them something that will benefit you both. An emphasis on and commitment to long-term health and preventative wellness will be important people in the aftermath of COVID-19.
TruBalance focuses on sustainable, long-term habits. When they are offered resources to build a foundation of healthy habits, people are able to address the causes of poor health and to make changes in their lives.